This page is a component of the Glossary of the Dog Science, CBC
Dog Training Workshop, and an element of the Dog Science Network
Go to the index of the Glossary of Terms
Watchdog
By definition, the role of a watchdog is not to attack intruders or even, necessarily, to scare them away. Rather, the proper role of a watchdog is to keep an eye out and sound the alarm if, and only if, he sees someone do something that by virtue of his training, he knows they should not be doing.
A first-rate watchdog barks only when he sees someone engage in one of those specific behaviors for which he has been trained to watch.
Some breeds have a far greater propensity to excel as watchdogs than others. For a rank ordering of the breeds that are the most likely to make primo watchdogs, we refer you to our sister site, barkingdogs.net, to view the best watchdogs chart.
If you would like, you can learn how to train a world class watchdog by enrolling in the Dog Science, Advanced Dog Training Workshop.